Move Over Siri, Alexa, Cortana: Meet Viv
Meet Viv Samsung is just not going to give up on the device business despite the massive recall of its Galaxy Note 7. Instead, Samsung is moving head to head with Amazon, Apple and Microsoft, designing its own digital assistant to coincide with the launch of its Samsung Galaxy S8 in 2017. Samsung will be using a voice-enabled program called Viv, an AI the company acquired through its purchase of Viv Labs last month. Samsung hasn't said how widely Viv will be used through its catalog of devices—nor if the AI will end up being called Viv in the end. But the move confirms that voice-enabled control of our digital tools continues to grow. (Via Reuters)
Hands Off Ohio The state if Ohio is apparently not a fan of self-driving technology. A newly proposed bill would outlaw the use of autonomous vehicles on Ohio's roads unless operated by the car manufacturer during testing or transporting of the car. Now the bill is clear that autonomous vehicles in the definition don't mean cars that have driver assistance tools like self- parking or even braking ability. They mean the hands-off, no-driver-behind-the-wheel kind of autonomous. So for those kind of cars, Ohioans may want to stay tuned--along with other state residents should additional bills pop up across the country.
Watch Drone Hear a noise in the house at night? How about launching a drone to patrol your property and make sure no one is around. With the Sunflower Home Awareness System you can now lock down your space with a camera drone option. Sensors around the property pick up activity and sound with the drone then able to get a closer look. Although the drone piece of this security system is still in beta, the company expects to have this element up and running by 2017.
Virtual Fandom The National Football League (NFL) and Google are launching a way to bring you game night (or enough to satisfy sports fanatics) in 360 degrees. A new, nine-part film series will do give a behind the scenes view into how the football world preps for game day from the fans to players, cheerleaders to coaches. The first episode will launch on the NFL's YouTube channel on Thanksgiving Day and feature the Philadelphia Eagles. The film will be shot using Google's 360-degree camera Jump and will later be viewable on the NFL VR app for Google's Daydream.
Alexa Gift Guide If you're hoping to buy (or get) a gift that works with Alexa we know how confusing it can be to find the right device. That's why GearBrain has put together a short list of presents that are awesome to get and work perfectly with Alexa.